Cobb: Packers aren't giving up
Gannett Wisconsin Media’s Brett Christopherson caught up with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who looked ahead to Sunday’s Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.:
In studying the Vikings’ defense, what impressed you most about what that unit was able to do during Sunday’s 49-17 rout of the New York Giants? Minnesota picked off Eli Manning three times in the win.
RC: Yeah, they were able to force turnovers. They’ve got some guys back healthy – (safety) Harrison Smith and (linebacker Anthony) Barr. So they got some guys back on the field they had lost. Definitely some playmakers that they need out there. It’ll definitely be a tough game for us. They’re coming to Lambeau, and we’ve got to defend our home turf.
You know the Vikings well. They know the Packers well. There are no secrets at this point in the season and particularly between division foes. What’s the challenge in preparing for a familiar opponent, especially with a division championship at stake?
RC: It’s just going out there and playing ball. It comes down to game day and who’s willing to give more and find a way to win. It’s all about winning games. They know us really well, and we know them really well. We know what they try to do. They know what we try to do. It’s just going out there and executing it on game days, and when the clock is at zero being the team with the most points.
The Opposite Sideline: Ready for rematch
What are the differences in the Vikings team you beat in that Week 11 matchup in Minneapolis to the team you’ll face in Sunday's regular season finale?
RC: I really don’t know that there are any differences. They had the ability to win that game when we played them the last time, but we made more plays, and we were able to find a way to win. They’re still a really good football team. We beat a good football team that day, and they’re going to be a good football team when they come to Lambeau on Sunday.
You’re playing a division rival at Lambeau Field on “Sunday Night Football” with the NFC North championship and a home playoff game on the line. Despite the trials and tribulations and adversity you’ve faced this season, how important is to focus on what can still be accomplished and not on the opportunities that have been missed?
RC: I don’t believe there’s one person in that locker room that has been wavering. We know who we are, and we know what our goals are. It’s up to us. Inside of our locker room, nobody is giving up on each other. And we’re prepared to fight until there are no games left. We know what we’re capable of. Regardless of who backs us, we’re going to go out there, and we’re going to play as best as we can.
Clock ticking on Packers' potential
Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or brett.christopherson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC